Mayor Bowser Commits to Make Washington, DC Carbon-Neutral and Climate Resilient by 2050

(Washington, DC) – Today, at the inaugural North American Climate Summit, Mayor Bowser will pledge to make Washington, DC carbon-neutral and climate resilient by 2050. By joining 25 other C40 member cities in committing to this goal, Washington, DC is building on its Sustainable DC and Clean Energy DC plans to cut carbon emissions 50 percent by 2032. The District’s previous goal was an 80 percent reduction by 2050; now, the city will develop and begin to implement a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent.

“Washington, DC is proud to be one of the many cities across North America – and around the globe – that is making climate change a top priority,” said Mayor Bowser. “Today, by making this pledge, we are backing up our DC values with action. It is in the best interest of our country’s safety, economy, and future to take climate change seriously, and we will not let federal inaction hinder our progress.”

In support of the Paris Agreement, Mayor Bowser announced that the District will:

develop a pathway to deliver GHG emissions neutrality by 2050;

demonstrate how the city will adapt and improve its resilience to climate hazards that may impact the city now and in future climate change scenarios; and

outline the wider social, environmental, and economic benefits derived from implementing the plan, as well as how the city will approach implementation of the plan.

In 2016, nations around the world ratified the Paris Climate Agreement, committing to keep rises in global average temperatures within 2°C of pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rises even further to only 1.5°C. This year, after President Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the agreement, Mayor Bowser signed a Mayor’s Order reaffirming the District’s commitment to adopt, honor, and uphold the Paris Agreement.

C40 Cities is a network of the world’s largest cities, working together to address climate change. Last year, Mayor Bowser joined more than 60 mayors and deputy mayors from all over the world, as well as hundreds of urban and sustainability leaders, at the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico City.

The commitment to become carbon-neutral and climate resilient by 2050 is the latest action the Bowser Administration has taken to prepare for climate change and ensure Washington, DC is sustainable and resilient for future generations. Since coming into office, the Administration launched Climate Ready DC; released a draft of the Clean Energy DC plan to cut carbon emissions with renewable energy and energy efficiency; established the DC Green Bank which will help create jobs, expand solar power, lower energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; finalized the largest municipal wind power purchase agreement deal of its kind in the United States; and began work on the largest onsite municipal solar generation in the country. Earlier this year, the Administration launched Sustainable DC 2.0, a collaborative citywide effort to update the District’s landmark sustainability plan.

The Mayor is scheduled to participate in the Global City Mayors on Climate Action: The Ripple Effect Panel. The panel will stream live at 2:45 pm CST/3:45 p.m. EST, and can be viewed HERE.

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